Nutrient dispenser

Abstract

A nutrient dispenser for supplying nutrient liquid to young animals includes a container (1) in which the liquid (2) is kept cool. Feeding the liquid is done via a solenoid valve (3) which is activated by the animal with the aid of an activating means (11, 12). The feed pipe (4) leading from the solenoid valve to the animal box has a heating element (7) which continuously keep the pipe warm and gives the fed-out nutrient liquid a temperature suitable for the animal. To avoid long storage of ready-mixed nutrient liquid, the container (1) may be formed with a store (31) intended for dry substance (30). The dry substance is fed to the container with the aid of a conveyor (32) driven by the amount of water (via 33, 34) predetermined for filling the container.

I claim: 
     
       1. A nutrient dispenser intended for the supply of nutrient liquid (2) to young animals, and including a container (1) for the liquid (2), which is arranged for being metered with the aid of a feed valve (3) via one or more feed pipes (4) to one or more teat-like feed means (5) accessible to the animals, characterized in that the container (1) is adapted to keep the liquid (2) cool, and by the combination that the feed valve (3) is arranged in the respective feed pipe (4) immediately adjacent the container (1) and is controlled from an activator (5, 10, 11, 12) actuated by the animal for feeding nutrient liquid (2) through said feed pipe (4) only when the activator (5, 10, 11, 12) is activated, and the respective feed pipe (4) thus having a heating element (7) controlled by a thermistor (8), the element being coupled as to continuously keep the temperature of the feed pipe at a value resulting in that the liquid is sufficiently warm on being fed out and that the pipe is also dried after the liquid has been fed out. 
     
     
       2. Dispenser as claimed in claim 1, and where the nutrient liquid (2) is milk substitute, characterized in that the container (1) includes a store (31) having a conveyor means (32) intended for the milk powder (30) and arranged for being driven in response to the amount of water (via 34) with which the powder is to be mixed for obtaining the milk substitute, the water supply being arranged for regulation by a detector (36) sensing the level of the milk substitute in the container. 
     
     
       3. Dispenser as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the amount of milk powder (30) per unit of water is adjustable by regulating the speed of the conveyor means (32) operated by the water. 
     
     
       4. Dispenser as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the activator (5, 11, 12) includes a touchfree switch (12) arranged for actuation with the aid of a lever (11) activated by the animals. 
     
     
       5. Dispenser as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the activator (5, 10) includes an electronic switch directly actuated by the animal and formed as, or in conjunction with said teat-like feed means (5) terminating the feed pipe (4). 
     
     
       6. Dispenser as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the feed valve (3) is formed as a solenoid valve controlled by the activator (5, 10, 11, 12). 
     
     
       7. Dispenser as claimed in claims 1, characterized in that the container (1) may be connected to four feed pipes (4) via their individual feed valves (3), which are controlled from the activator (5, 10, 11, 12) disposed at the delivery end of the respective feed pipe. 
     
     
       8. Dispenser as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the container (1) may be lifted off from its connection to the feed pipe or pipes (4) via the respective feed valve (3).